'Tude Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Today was the first warm spring day. I knew, I just knew, that I would find attitude in my neighbourhood. Saw this guy on the basketball court, told him I was looking for an example of attitude. He gave it to me on a silver platter.

I don't know why, but the photo was overexposed. I messed around with PP until I got a look I liked.

Happy spring, everyone!

thohau, svetoslav has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ndb1958 (9249) 2005-03-29 23:18

Great attitude he gave to you. I like how he looks. The blue chain is nice on his white shirt. Nice light, nice colours.

Skarrlette (96) 2005-03-29 23:47 [Comment]

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gringofil (0) 2005-03-30 0:56

I like it. The attitude is there and the guy himself looks like a though customer. The best thing about the shot are the splashes of blue: the cross, the sky, the woman's jacket in the background, etc... But the overexposure is much too obvious here...his shirt is a white mess without details. Anyway, compo and subject wise it is good...the technical side needs a bit of work.

Luko (13904) 2005-03-30 8:56

Same as Fil, had you not insanely overexposed his shirt I would have thought this was the perfect mood for this dude. Do you have a lesser overexposed image version which you can play with?

I might be more critical about the woman in blue, I think her blue jacket doesn't belong to the scene.. Blue color is an element of connection, and while the relationship between the guy, his bluish tatto, his cross and the sky looks pretty obvious, I can't imagine the connection with the woman...

Tip : sometimes you must cut fractions of textures that you'll paste on the area where any textural element is gone. Quite tricky and owes more to plastic surgery, such as taking skin from your butt to recover your face, but that's the only hint I know for recovering overly overexposed areas.

Homerhomer (4005) 2005-03-30 10:10

Ok, I understand that the ice had melted 3 days ago, but tank top, gimme a break, it's still cold out there....
I like his attitude, don't have anything smart to add after Fil and Luko comments, I would only suggest trying it in black and white, I find that at times harsh contrast and blown highlights are more acceptable in bw than in colour.

Peter

EDIT, when shooting you may consider spot metering off the shirt (or the brightest spot in the image), and set the exposure compensation to +1, this should ensure that no parts of the image are overexposed.

AnimeshRay (8894) 2005-03-30 14:57

Attitude indeed! This is so funny! I would like see him in Hollywood soon..
Good framing with the other person in the background.

MKING (3050) 2005-04-01 5:35

Not quite sure what you've done to the shot in post processing but the overall effect-- save for the shirt-- is very complimentary to the subject indeed.

As for your crop, yup, I like it even more thanks to its originality but both shots work equally well insofar as the message is concerned.

Watch your exposures in future-- maybe spot meter off his face next time?

There can't be much detail left in the original on that man's singlet but what you can do in the future (or with this shot again if you've kept the unprocessed original) is to use the History Brush tool to erase and fine tune adjustments made to the image. Gives you far greater control than a mere blanket level or contrast adjustment.

Elise_d (1943) 2005-04-02 12:31

I don't understand why everybody is bothered by the overexhibition of this shot. I do like the overall look it has - a little 60's- martin parr- whatever. Love the cropping also. Good one Lisan !

svetoslav (314) 2006-03-20 9:00